Life Is Funny: Videos

By MAD21

We had a rough week last week in our family. Lots on the calendar. Tempers flared. There was crying over socks "not fitting right" and "skirts falling down" and "wrinkles in the bed" (note that none was really an issue). Life didn't feel so funny at the time. But on the worst of days, there are a few things I know that work to change the attitudes of my girls. It may only last for a little while, but I'll take any refuge I can get!

The following videos are sure to bring the biggest belly laughs from my girls. I thought I'd share them with you. Maybe you can use them when life doesn't seem to be so funny.

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Fingerprint Friday: Colors of Fall

By MAD21

Fall is my most favorite season. I love everything about it. The cooler weather, the smells, and of course, the colors. Where we live, in the last few years, the colors have not been very vibrant. I've heard people blame too much rain, not enough rain, or too cold, or not cold enough. But for whatever the reason, the leaves just turned to drab colors and fell fast. We still had a lot of fun playing in the leaves, but we've missed the pretty colors.

This year was different. I'm not sure what changed weather-wise to make it happen. But this fall has been one of the most spectacular color shows I've seen since I've lived here. Just beautiful. Every time I look out my window or go on a drive, I thank God for giving us such amazing things to enjoy. Something as simple as color. What would we do without it?

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Works For Me Wednesday: Making Applesauce

By MAD21

We started a new tradition in our family last year. We decided that we were going to give everyone homemade applesauce as gifts for Christmas. So in October (the middle of apple season!) we headed out to one of our local farmer stands and purchased several bushels of apples. Seven different kinds. It was a hit. Both the family time it took to make the applesauce, and the they joyful reception the gifts got during the holidays. We really enjoyed the time we had with Grandma teaching us the canning process, and our girls LOVED using the peeler to peel all the apples (which was Grandma's station...though thinking back, I think the time with Grandma was probably what was enjoyed most).

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YOB: #19. Have a Lord of the Rings Marathon

By Beth

In case previous articles haven't let you in on this very well kept secret, Lara and I are rabid, uh, I mean AVID Lord of the Rings fans. We have each watched the movies several times, and the commentaries and the special features. I will admit that Lara has watched the commentaries and special features more thoroughly than I. It is a situation I am slowly beginning to remedy. Having a LOTR marathon made the list because it was cheap, easy and didn't require too much in the way of special equipment.

We did decide early on that this had to take place at Lara's since we were less likely to be interrupted, even though I like my TV better. I plan on starting a petition to get Lara to buy a flat screen; when we go to Best Buy though, she is always more interested in the refrigerators than the TVs. We don't really see eye to eye on that one.

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Fingerprint Friday: Flowers

By MAD21

I am ashamed that I don't know more about them, but I love flowers. I am allergic to most of them, especially the ones that have a strong fragrance. But I love looking at the many different variety of flowers that are around us all the time. At first, they look so simple. Easily unseen in a busy day. But if you take a moment to really look at them, you will see how complex they are, they come in all shapes and sizes and every shade of the rainbow. Few things can compare to the beauty and color like flowers. I've heard them referred to as the paintbrush of God, and I can understand why.

So as the season of flowers ends in most regions of our country, we will take a moment to stop and look. And praise the God who created them.

Fellow blogger Beki at Pampering You has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.